Journey

JOURNEY

I'm in the back room cleaning up for the night humming the song that Under Rhaps were singing tonight. Lyrics about having such a good time bring me back to the fun times when I used to sing in high school. It's been a long while since I allowed myself to enjoy the music and just be in the moment, be in the vibe, and be in the lyrics. Getting lost in the memories of being on stage with my friends, not a care in the world but with all the expectation of being a star … lyrics from the famous song, ‘there's no stopping me now', fall from my lips and my voice echoes around the room.

Slow clapping startles me, and I turn quickly, finding him leaning against the door jamb clapping his hands. Again, his overall appearance is so amazing, that I could easily get lost in him. Those jeans pulled tight across his thighs and the blue t-shirt that accentuates his eyes paralyze me.

"So that was ya I heard that first night."

My body instantly goes rigid. I get hot and full of anxiety just like I always do when someone hears me singing since that one awful night.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I drop my eyes from him but still well aware of his presence.

"Yeah ya do." He walks closer to me. I stand with a chair and a table between us. "I heard this voice the other night and it was beautiful. Then I started hearing songs in my head, and I could hear that voice singing the words to those songs. I told myself I had to find the girl behind that voice. And now I wonder if she's been in front of me all along."

"Not me." I shrug wanting out of this conversation. It's everything I've already heard once before.

"C'mon , what's goin' on?" He softens his voice and pulls out the chair to sit. I can't help but watch as he drapes one arm on the chair next to him, his t-shirt pulling tight and raising over his bicep. The tattoo I noticed the first night I met him, is exposed. It's a typical tribal band but upon closer inspection, the barbed wire is actually music notes intertwined. His other hand lays on the table top, his fingers tapping the wood, his forearms strong. "Do ya sing? That's raw talent I heard but also with a hint of training."

This is a train of thought I don't want to go down right now. I pushed all of this behind me, and when I started to enjoy a little bit of the rhythm again, this guy came along to ruin it. I turn my back and begin putting the chairs up on the table so the crew can come in and wash the floor.

"C'mon, talk to me. I bet you've got some story, don't ya?"

I spin on him pointing my finger. "You don't know anything about my story and you need to stop asking questions!"

He puts his hands up defensively "Whoa, okay, no need to get angry. I'll let y'all be. I'm just curious, that's all."

"Curious, my ass. You're all the same."

If he hears me, he doesn't respond. All I hear as he walks out of the room is, "I'm going to keep looking for that girl. She's got something about her. Have a good night, ."